In her first Pennyblackmusic interview, Chicago-based singer/songwriter Tomiko Dixon unveils her artistic inspirations and desire to explore experiential themes, whilst carrying on the legacy of her grandfather, Willie Dixon

Jann Klose : Interview - Interviews

International singer-songwriter Jann Klose talks to Lisa Torem about the making of new studio album, ‘In Tandem,’ which celebrates the art of collaboration and the personnel that enabled the project to crystalize.

Al Jardine : City Winery, Chicago, 2/4/2018 - Live Reviews

Lisa Torem enjoys a sublime night of Beach Boys hits from Al Jardine at the City Winery in Chicago.

Stiff Records : Raging Pages - Features

in her regular 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem finds that Richard Balls' book ‘Be Stiff’, which is about the rise and fall of Stiff Records, imbues a classic, cultural relevance and that its heroes made an indelible mark on pop/punk music.

Website of the Month : Chicago Concert Reviews - Website of the Month

Our Website of the Month is Chicago Concert Reviews, the website of Chicago-based writer and photographer Andy Argyrakis, who has been managing it since 2014, offering his steady readership a spectrum of insights.

Zombies : Interview with Colin Blunstone - Interviews

Colin Blunstone’s solo band will perform this April in the UK, as he concurrently continues his role as front man of the Zombies. He chats with Lisa Torem at a sold out show at City Winery, Chicago.

Bob Shiel : Interview - Interviews

Bob Shiel talks to Lisa Torem in a wide-ranging discussion of his entertaining and well-researched book documenting 61 Bob Dylan albums.

Lisa Torem watches the Zombies dedicate an enthralling set at City Winery in Chicago to their late bassist Jim Rodford on their 'Edge of the Rainbow' tour which includes classic and contemporary hits.

Pennyblackmusic : Ten Songs That Made Me Love... - Features

Lisa Torem, who began writing for Pennyblackmusic in 2008, reflects back on some of her favourite artist interviews and related songs in celebration of the upcoming twenty year anniversary.

Bob Dylan : Raging Pages - Features

In her 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem finds that Chicago author Bob Shiel with is new book, '61 Highways Revisited — The Albums of Bob Dylan’, does everything Dylan by way of smart, comprehensive reviews and a double-CD of related renditions in which he strums and sings.

Neal Smith : Interview - Interviews

Drummer/percussionist/songwriter Neal Smith discusses with Lisa Torem his early influences, the 2017 UK reunion of the original Alice Cooper group, solo milestones and the alchemy of true friendship.

Tautologic : Interview - Interviews

Ethan Sellers, Chicago-based, co-founder of Chicago prog rock group Tautologic, elaborates with Lisa Torem on the making of new album, ‘Re:Psychle’, on which often-marginalised people are given a voice.

Sam Phillips : Raging Pages - Features

Sam Phillips, the late owner of Sun Records in Memphis, brought Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis to fame. Lisa Torem reflects on a new book that explains the back stories behind the man’s ingenuity.

Michael Bruce : Interview - Interviews

Michael Bruce, multi-instrumentalist and co-songwriter of the original Alice Cooper Group, talks to Lisa Torem about his early 1970s work with the band, songwriting, solo ventures and playing on Cooper’s 2017 album 'Paranormal'

Dennis Dunaway : Interview - Interviews

Founder member and bassist for the original Alice Cooper Group, Dennis Dunaway chats to Lisa Torem about his contribution to Cooper’s recent Paranormal LP and his well-received memoir ‘Snakes! Guillotines! Electric Chairs! My Adventures in the Alice Cooper Group'.

Buffy Sainte-Marie : Interview - Interviews

Canadian-born songwriter/performer and activist Buffy Sainte-Marie,speaks to Lisa Torem about her new album ‘Medicine Songs’

Lisa Torem speaks with Chicago-based author, Renee Rosen, about her latest novel, 'Windy City Blues', which is set in 1950s and 1960s Chicago.

Alice Cooper : Arena, Birmingham, 14/11/2017 - Live Reviews

Lisa Torem chronicles events, leading to a historical Alice Cooper Group reunion in Nashville and this year's multi-city Alice Cooper tour in the UK, including a show she attends in Birmingham.

Happy Mondays : Roundhouse, London, 16/11/2017 - Live Reviews

Lisa Torem enjoys an energetic set of greatest hits from the Happy Mondays at the Roundhouse in London.

Blondie : 02 Apollo, Manchester, 11/11/2017 - Live Reviews

LIsa Torem watches groundbreaking NYC New Wave act Blondie combine recent and vintage material to dazzling effect at a sold-out show at the Apollo in Manchester.

Thomas Lang : Scallywag Jaz - Favourite Album Reviews

In our 'Re: View' section, in which we look back at albums from the past, Lisa Torem finds that the 30th Anniversary Edition of Thomas Lang’s 1987 debut album ‘Scallywag Jaz’ is even swarthier and more meaningful the second time around.